Islanders-Flyers to resume playoff series with Game 3 on Saturday night
Joel Farabee of the Flyers and Cal Clutterbuck of the Islanders battle for the puck during the second period in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on Wednesday. Credit: Getty Images/Elsa
It will be back to hockey on Saturday for the Islanders and Flyers as they play the rescheduled Game 3 of their all-even second-round series at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.
But the awareness of social injustice issues also will remain in the forefront after two days of NHL playoff games being postponed as a response to a Black man, Jacob Blake, being shot multiple times by police in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
“I think we all know us sitting out two days is not going to end racism,” Islanders defenseman Scott Mayfield said on Friday after all players participated in the team’s practice. “What it does do is it brings dialogue. It brings awareness and it enables us to look in the mirror and talk to each other. It’s all about action now. It’s about making sure we do things to combat issues in our game and in society.”
“It’s really tough times right now,” Islanders left wing Matt Martin said. “We just want everybody to feel included, everybody to feel safe. No matter the color of your skin, or sexual orientation, at the end of the day, we just want all forms of hate to be gone, for people to love each other and do what’s right.”
All eight teams still alive in the NHL playoffs had one game postponed.
Game 3 of the Islanders-Flyers series, which will start at 7 p.m., was supposed to be played Thursday night after the Flyers won Game 2, 4-3, in overtime on Wednesday afternoon. The teams did originally have a game scheduled on Saturday but at noon.
Game 4 will follow on Sunday at 8 p.m. and Game 5 will be Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Games 6 and 7, if necessary, will be on Thursday and Sept. 5, with starting times still to be determined.
“From a hockey standpoint, the game is going to be just as intense,” Mayfield said. “That doesn’t change anything. We’re professional athletes. When we step on the ice, we go out there to win.”
“I think each game presents a unique and different challenge,” said Flyers left wing James van Riemsdyk, who along with Islanders captain Anders Lee, was instrumental in coordinating the players’ call for a boycott. “We’re all professional here and when the games come and we arrive at the rink, we’re ready to go. We’re ready to put forth all our effort and attention and energy into playing the game and having a good result.”
As both teams practiced on Friday and prepared for Game 3, there also were meetings among the players and discussions with the Hockey Diversity Alliance, which requested the NHL postpone games.
Meanwhile, Mayfield said he already has had separate discussions with the Islanders’ community relations department about doing programs in minority communities to help effect change.
“There’s a bunch of issues out there,” he said. “I think the second we heard, on the other side, players or anyone in our group, in our union, professional hockey players, that do not feel comfortable going out there, it’s a no-brainer to stand behind them and show solidarity.
“As professional athletes, we have a platform. The biggest thing is to use it in a positive way. You see plenty of people use their platform in a negative way. That just needs to end. It’s a time for positivity. For me, it’s about action.”
And for those who say athletes should just stick to sports?
“We’re human beings,” Mayfield said. “I think that’s my response. Everyone has a voice. Everyone has opinions. At the end of the day, you just want to do what’s right. Everyone needs to look in the mirror and be a better person.”
Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.
